What to Wear Where: Music Festivals 2013

Music festivals can be a rockin’ good time, as long as you come prepared. Dress for the vibe, dress for the weather, and by all means dress to dance. Check out our picks for some of the best 2013 music bashes across the country.

Coachella: April 12-14/April 19-21, Indio, CA

Hailed as the premiere indie festival (and one of the biggest hipsters scenes we’ve ever seen), Cochella is a great place to show off your boho style. The lineup this year is studded with indie faves like Passion Pit, Beach House, the XX, Pretty Lights and Vampire Weekend. Again, stay sun-screened and hydrated — remember, this is the desert after all. Oh, and this festival is the perfect place to try out that new feather-headband you’ve been eyeing.

TIPS

Bring earplugs and toilet paper + wipes if you’re planning on using the porta-potties (they get gross!).

WEATHER

Now that they’ve split the festival into two weekends, the weather is even more varied. Last year (2012) the first weekend was chilly and the second blisteringly hot. Basically, be prepared to baked in the day (temps up to 100 degrees) and to bundle up at night (temps can drop enough to need a sweatshirt or light jacket).

Jazz Fest is one of the more mellow festivals on the list, but it’s also one of the most fun weeks we’ve ever had. The lineup is a mix of smaller artists and bigger players, but the sound is all smooth all the time. This is another festival where you’ll wear your feet out if you aren’t careful, so leave those heels at home – also, the grounds are known to be dusty and/or muddy — so buyer beware.

TIPS

Bring a hat for sure. It’s warm and sunny. Bring a foldable chair if you’re going to want to camp out in front of the big stages, it makes hanging out and drinking much more fun.

WEATHER

Usually lovely and sunny around 75-85 degrees, but be prepared for the occasional downpour (which will not stop the music!), so either just be alright getting wet for a minute, or pack a lightweight poncho or the like.

Held out on a country farm, Bonnaroo is known for it’s commitment to the environment, and for it’s commitment to hosting a kick ass rock show. On the lineup this year is Mumford & Sons, Wilco, The Lumineers and “Weird Al” Yankovic. It is also known for being muddy, hot and humid, so dress accordingly (this is a great place to bring those Hunter wellies you packed away this spring). The temperatures drop in the evenings, so sweatshirts are a must as well. This is a great place to show your country/rock style, so break out those skinny biker jeans and mesh tops and get hog wild.

TIPS

A Camelbak is not a bad idea for this festival — nor is a sunhat. Also, beyond rain boots, canvas shoes (like TOMS) are great because you can just hose them off when you’re done. And we’re serious about the mud, our “friend” lost a flip flop in the deep mud two years ago!

WEATHER

Like most of the rest of these festivals, think sunburn in the day and campfire at night. Layers, people.

The newbie on the list, this year’s Governor’s Ball on Randall’s Island will only be the third year this festival has been around. We recommend you get in now before it gains any more momentum. The lineup is hot: think Pretty Lights, Beirut alongside Guns N’ Roses and NAS, and there’s plenty of NYC Food Trucks on hand — this is the best food of any festival we’ve been to — this year Luke’s Lobster, Little Muenster and Mexicue. Oh, and there’s also free water refills, photo booths, a silent disco and lawn games. All in all, it’s pretty sweet (and still under the radar!). Bust out your best Williamsburg at this show — you won’t be alone in retro sunnies and sheer neon.

TIPS

Sunscreen, water, sunglasses (are we a broken record yet?), oh and bring cash if you want to buy food or mercy, the ATM lines can get long. Also, you’re going to have to get on the ferry to get there, so be prepared for some long lines if you don’t make the first one out.

We know, another one on Randall’s Island. But this one is really cool. Well, really cool if you’re all about electronic music. Electric Zoo is one of the only festivals in the US that is devoted to dubstep, and we can’t get enough! The lineup hasn’t been posted yet, but previous iterations have headlined DJ’s like Deadmau5, Pretty Lights, Steve Aoki and Skrillex. As for how to dress, get Euro, get edgy (costumes are encouraged), and most of all, wear shoes you can move in (we like wedge sneakers for this particular show).

TIPS

Sunscreen, Camelbak, and sunglasses, for sure. Oh, and be prepared for your cellphone to act like a brick, service is incredibly spotty there.

WEATHER

The heat is on. It’ll be warm during the day, and it will be warm at night. Leave your jackets at home.